Cigarette dispensing and lighting container



Sept. 15, 1931. A KAPPENBERG 1,823,609

CIGARETTE DISPENSING AND LIGHTING CONTAINER FiIed Oct. 20 1925 Y! i :t7/llIIIIIIlI/IIIIIIIIIIIII 1 i hends a cigarette Patented Sept. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- AUGUST RAPRENBERG, 0E BAYsIDE, NEW YoRx, N. Y., AssrGNoR, BY MEsNE AssiGN- MENTS, To AUTOMATIC LIGHTER CoRPoRATroN, or sTAMEoRD, CONNECTICUT, A

CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE CIGARETTE DISPENSING AND LIGHTING CONTAINER Application led October 20, 1925. Serial No. 63,628.

This invention has relation to smokers articles or accessories, and has particular reference to a cigarette or cigar dispensing and lighting container which is especially designed as an accessory to motor vehicles.

One of the outstanding objects of the present invention is to provide a container for cigarettes, cigars, or the like, adapted to be installed upon the instrument board of a motor vehicle to contain a supply of cigarettes or cigars, and equipped with means for singly dispensing lighted cigarettes or cigars with a minimum of effort on the part of the driver ofa vehicle, whereby detraction of his attention from the steering and controlling of the vehicle for the purpose, is avoided. A

More specifically the invention compredispensing and lighting container which includes a container body having .a stacked supply of cigarettes together with means at the lower end'of said body for isolating the lowermost cigarette,

' and means operated by the isolating o peration for simultaneously creating a suction through the Cigarette igniting the opposite end to effectually light the cigarette, after which the same may be readily removed for smoking.

The invention furthermore contemplates a device of the character described which is comparatively lsimple in its construction and mode of use, inexpensive to manufacture and install, and which is highly eiilcient in its urpse. n

With the above recited and other objects 1n viewreference is had to the following specification and accompanying drawlngs 1n which there is exhibited one example or embodimentof the invention which is in no Way yintended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims as it 1s to be clearly understood that variations and modifications Which properly fall within the scope of said claims may be resorted to when found expedient.

'In the drawings- Figure 1 is a front view of the dispensing and lighting container;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view therefrom one'end and forthrough taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional viewr through the lower end of the container, illustrating the position of parts prior to the isolation and lighting of the cigarette;

Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating the cigarette isolated and being lighted;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the switch taken approximately on the line 7-7; of Fig. 4;

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 10 designates a substantially rectangular container body closed by a substantially semi-cylindrical closure 11 at its lower end, which is hinged thereby by a spring hinge 12, which normally disposes the closure in closed relation to the body. The upper end of the body is open and is adapted to receive therein a supply of cigarettes, cigars, or the like, in stacked relation, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.

In order to provide means for singly dispensing the cigarettes, a cylindrical member 13 is mounted in the lower end of the body V 10 for rotatory movement, said member having its opposite ends 14 and 15 projecting through the side Walls 16 of the body. That portion of the member 13 disposed between the inner sides of the side wall is cut away to approximately one-half of its circumference, as at 17, to provide a receiving opening for the lowermost cigarette C of the stack and permitting said lowermost cigarette when the opening is disposed uppermost to drop through and into the member 13. The end 15 of the member 13 extends into a nonrotary outwardly projecting, cylindrical casing 18 which is Closed at its outer end by an axially apertured head 19.Y A tubular sleeve 20 is mounted within the end 15 for relative axial sliding movement with respect to said end and for turning movement therewith through the medium of a transverse nal slot 22 in the end 15. rPhe outer extrem-- ity 23 of the pin'projects into a circumferential groove 24 in the casing 18, which groove is of a length substantially equal to one-half of the circumference of the casing 18 and of a width approximately equal to the length of the slot 22 in the end 15, whereby the member 13 and the sleeve are limited to approximately one-half a revolution. The sleeve 20 is provided with an outwardly projecting stem 25 extending through the axial o ening in the head 19 of the casing 18, an said stem is provided at its outer end with a radially projecting handle 26 secured to the stem. A coiled spring 27 is interposed between a bearing washer 28 on the outer end of the head 19 and the manipulating handle 26 and the opposite terminals 29 and 30 are respectively embedded and anchored in the handle 26 and the head 19 so that said spring functions to normally slide the sleeve axially outward to engage its outer end with the head 19, and, at the same time, to turn the handle, stem, sleeve 2O and'member 13, in a clockwise direction' to dispose the opening or cutaway portion 17 upwardly. The inner end of the sleeve is flared outwardly as at 31, and under the action ofthe spring 27 is normally disposed flush with the inner surface of the right wall 16 as illustrated in Fig. 4. The casing 18 is provided with a radial opening 32 in which is threadedly engaged the nipple 33 of a suction tube 34 leading to a suctioncreating means, such as the vacuum tank of a motor car, the intake manifold, or the like.

The end 15 of the member 13 is provided with a radial port 35 disposed in circumferential alinement with the opening 32 and normally out ofregister therewith when the member 13 is in its normal position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6. The sleeve 2O provided with a radial ort 36 which is normally out of register wlth the port 35 when the sleeve is urged axially outward by the spring 27, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, but which is capable of being disposed in register with the port 35 by inward sliding movement of the `sleeve with res ect to the end 15. The ports 35 and 36 w en thus registered are adapted to aline with` the openmg 32 when the handle 26 is manipulated to turn the sleeve and member 13`against the action of the spring 27 to the position illustrated in Fig. 5.

The opposite end 14 of the member 13 has mounted therein an insulated block 37, on the inner face of which is arranged a resistance coil 38 constituting an electric heat-- ing element. The central terminal of the coil is connected with an outwardly projecting contact pin 39 while the outer terminal is connected with an outwardly projecting masses contact pin 46. A stationary cylindrical housing 41 is connected to and projects outwardly from the left side wall of the body 10 and receives the end 14 of the member 13. The outer end of the housing 41 has mounted thereon a stationary insulated block 42 provided with a sleeve-like central socket 43 connected with a conductor 44 at its outer end and. frictionally receiving the central Contact pin 39. A radially spaced conductor sleeve 45 connected with a conductor wire 46 extends, through the block 42 and has connected with its inner end an arcuate contact plate 47 with which the contact pin 40 is engageable and disengageable by the relative turning movement of the member 13 andyblock 37 with respect to the housing 41 and block 42. In its normal position under the action of the spring 27, the member 13 and block 37 are arranged in a position to dispose the contact pin 40 out of engagement with the arcuate contact plate 46 so thatthe resistance coil is (le-energized.

The device which is especially designed for use on a motor vehicle, has the body 10 secured upon the instrument board with the open end uppermost. Cigarettes, cigars, or the like, are arranged in stacked relation in the body and with the parts in a normal position, and it is obvious that the lowermost cigarette will be gravitationally fed through the cutaway portion or opening 17 into the member 13. As heretofore eX- plained, the suction tube 34 is connected with the vacuum tank or any other suction-creating part of the vehicle while the conductor wires 44 and 46 are operatively connected with the storage battery of the same.

When the driver or other occupant of the vehicle desires a cigarette, the handle 26 is turned forward, then downward and pushed inward against the action of the s ring 27 to the limit of its movement. This operation turns the member 13 so that the cutaway portion is disposed downward and the remainder of the medial portion of the member 13 disposed upward so as to isolate the lowermost cigarette which has previously gravitated thereinto. At the same time, the inward movement of the handle effects an inner slidingmovemcnt of the sleeve 2O against the right end of the isolated cigarette, forcin its opposite end into engagement with t 1e resistance coil 38. This operation further brings the ports 35 and 36 into register with each other and into alinement with the opening 32 so that communication is established between the suction tube 34 and the interior of the sleeve 20. At the same time, the'contact pin 40 is disposed into contact with the arcuate Contact plate 47 to energize the resistance coil for heating the same, whereby the left end' of the cigarette is ignited, due to the suction created through the cigarette from its opposite end. The

operator then releases the handle Q6 and by exerting a pressure on the lip or lug 48 of the closure l1, opens the closure allowing the lighted cigarette to be removed Jfor smoking. Immediately upon release ofthe handle 26, the spring 27 will function to turn the handle, the sleeve and the member 13 in a `reverse direction, thereby returning said by and coaxial with for parts to their normal position for cutting off the suction, and, at the same time, disengaging the contact pin 4() from the contact plate 47 to de-energize the resistance coil 88. This returns the cutaway portion 17 of the mem! ber 13 to the normal upwardly disposed position for gravitationally receiving the succeeding lowermost cigarette C of the stack.

From the foregoing it will thus be seen that a dispensing and lighting container for cigarettes, cigars or the like, has been devised, which 'is comparatively simple in its construction and mode of operation, thereby eliminatingA the danger incident to the driver of a vehiclelighting a cigarette or cigar while the vehicle is in motion.

What is claimed is:

1. A cigarette dispensing and lighting container including a body adapted to contain a supply of stacked cigarettes, rotatory mea-ns at-the lower end of said body having a chamber for gravitationally receiving and isolating the lowermost cigarette, said chamber being coaxial with the axis of rotation 0f said ro'tatory means, and means operated said rotatory means for simultaneously creating a suction through the cigarette through one end and for igniting the opposite end.

2. A cigarette dispensing and light-ing container including a body adapted to contain a supply of stacked cigarettes, rotatory means at the lower end of said body for gravitationally receiving and isolating the lowermost cigarette, and means operated by and coaxial with said rotatory means simultaneously creating a suction through the cigarette through one end and for igniting the opposite end, said isolating means consisting of an oscillatory memberjournaled at the lower end of the body and said suction-creating means, consisting of a valved conduit and a switch-controlled electric heating element coaxial with and operable by turning movement of the isolating means.

3. A cigarette dispensing and lighting container, comprising a body adapted to contain a stacked supply of cigarettes, a rotary cylindrical member journaled transversely inthe lower end of the body and having a central semicircular cutaway portion through which the lowermost cigarette of the stack gravitates into the member to a positit i substantially coaxial therewith, whereby upon turning movement thereof the cigarette thus received is isolated from the cigarette is stack, an electric heating element at one end of the member to a position substantially coaxial therewith, switch members adapted to energize said element upon turning movement of the member to a position to isolate a cigarette, and 'a casing into which the opposite end of the cylindrical member extends, said end of the member' and casing each having a suction port adapted toI be disposed in registry upon turning movement of the member to the position for isolating a cigarette, whereby suction through the effected for the lighting of the opposite end in contact with the electric` heating element.

4. A cigarette dispensingand lighting contain-er, comprising a body adapted to contain a stacked supply of cigarettes, a

rotary cylindrical member journaled trans versely in the lower end of the body and having a. central semicircular cutaway portion through which the lowermost cigarette of the stack gravitates into the member to a position substantially coaxial therewith whereby upon turning movement thereof the cigarette thus received is isolated from the stack, an electric heating element at one endof the member in alignment with the cigarette contained therein, switch members operable to energize said element upon turning movement of the member to a position to'isolate a cigarette, a casing into which the opposite end of the cylindrical member extends, said end of the member and casing each having a suction port adapted to. be disposed in registry upon turning movement of the member to the position for isolating a cigarette,' whereby suction through the cigarette is effected for the lighting of the opposite end in contact with the electric heating element, means connected with the cylindrical member for manually rotating the same in the direction to isolate and light`the cigarette, and means for returning and normally holding said member in its inactive position with the suction cutoff and the heating element deenergized.

5. A cigarette dispensing and lighting container, comprising a body adapted to contain a stacked supply of cigarettes, a rotary cylindrical member journaled transversely in the lower end of the body and having a central semi-circular cutaway portion through which the lowermost clgarette of the stack gravitates into the member to a-position substantially coaxial therewith, wherebyupon turning movement thereof the cigarette thus received is isolated from the stack, an electric heating element at one end of the member in alignment with the cigarette contained therein, switch members operable 'to energize said element upon 'turning movement of the member toa position to isolate a cigarette, a casing into which the lll) opposite end of the cylindrical member extends, said end of the member and casing each having a suction port adapted to be disposed in registry upon turning movement ot the member to the position tor isolating a cigarette, whereby suction through the cigarette is ei'ected for the lighting of the opposite end in contact with the electric heating element,y means connected with the cylindrical member for manually rotating the same in the direction to isolate and light the cigarette, means for returning and normally holding said member in its inactive position with the suction cut oi and the heating element (le-energized, and means coaxial with and arranged Within the ported end of the member for relative axial sliding movement and connected with the manual/rotating means for engaging one end of the cigarette and advancing the opposite end into contactwwith theheating element. Y

G. A cigarette dispensing and lighting container, comprising a body adapted to contain a stacked supply ot cigarettes, arotary cylindrical member journaled transversely in-the lower end of the body and having a central semi-eircular cutaway portion through which the lowermost cigarette of the stack gravitates into the member to a position substantially coaxial therewith, whereby upon turning movement thereof the cigarette thus received is isolated from the stack, an electric heating element at one end of the member in alignment with the cigarette contained therein, switch members adapted to energize said clement upon turning movement of the member to a position to isolate a cigarette, a casing into which the opposite end of the cylindrical member extends, said end of the member and casing each having a suction port adapted to be disposed in registry upon turning movement of the member to the position for isolating a cigarette, whereby suction through the cigarette is effected for the lighting of the opposite end in contact with the electric heating element, means connected with the cylindrical member for manually rotatin the same in the direction to. isolate and light the cigarette, means for returning and normally holding said member in its inactitve posltion with the suction cut off and the heating element de-energized, and means coaxial with and arranged within the ported end of the member for relative axial siding movement and connected with the manual rotating means for enga ing one end of the cigarette andadvancing tlie opposite end into contact with the heating element, said latter means beingnormally moved outwardly and' having a suction-recciving port registrable with the port in the cylindrical member upon inward sliding movement.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to receive a supply of cigarettes, of a tabular member rotatably mounted at the open end et said magazine closing the same, said member having a cut away portion adapted to register with the open end of said magazine, through which one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine may be fed into said tubular member, for the purpose of isolating it from the other cigarettes upon rotation of said tubular meinber, and means coaxial with said tubular member for sinn'iltaneously' creating a suction through one end of the cigarette contaicped therein and for igniting the opposite en 8. lin a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to receive a sup ly of cigarettes, of a tubular member rotata ly mounted at the open end of said magazine closing the same, said member having a cut away portion adapted to register with the open end of said magazine, throughwhich one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine may be fed into said tubular member, 'for the purpose of isolating itffrom the other cigarettes upon rotation of said tubular member, means coaxial with said tubular member for creating a suction through one end of ,the cigarette contained therein and means for igniting the opposite end when said tubular member is moved from its receiving to its isolating position. I

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes,

kand a dispensing member provided with av ci arette receiving chamber at said` open end a apted to receive and isolate one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine, of an igniting element carried b said member and mounted at one end o' said chamber, adapted to be placed in commission by the isolating operation of said member.

10. ln a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazineI adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes, of a tubular member rotatably mounted atA the open end thereof, said member having l a cut away portion through which one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine may be fed into said tubular member, an igniting device at one end of said tubular Y member adapted to be placed in commission when said member is rotated from one position to another, and a suction member coaxial with and axially movablein relation to said tubular member adapted `to force the cigarette contained therein against` the higniting device. 11. In a device of the class described, the combination with a magazine ada ted to contain a supply of cigarettes an means associated therewith for receiving and isolating one of the cigarettes contained therein,

IDU

of means' for igniting said cigarette While said receiving and isolating means is moving from the receiving of the isolating position.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes, of a dispensing member rotatably mounted at the `open end thereof, .said member comprising an open side tubular shell adapted to receive one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine and adapted to isolate the same from the others by becoming interposed betweensaid cigarette and the remaining cigarettes in the magazine upon said dispensing member being rotated about its own axis, and means associated with said dispensing member for lighting the cigarette isolated thereby, while said dispensing member being moved from oney of its extreme positions to the other.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes, of a dispensing member rotatably mounted at the open end thereof, said member comprising an open side tubular shell adapted to receive one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine and adapted to isolate the same from the others by becoming interposed between said cigarette and the remaining cigarettes in the magazine upon said dispensing member being rotated about its own axis, an igniting element mounted at one end of said dispensing member,'a suction member coaxial'with said dispensing member slidably mounted Within the same at the other end, means causing said igniting element to become energized when the dispensing member is brought to its dispensing position, and means for axially shifting and for rotating said suction member about its axis, forcing the cigarette Within the dispensing member against the igniting element and causing rotatory movement of said dispensin member from its receiving to its dispensln'g position.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes, of a dispensing member rotatably mounted at kthe open end thereof, said member comprising an open side tubular shell adapted to receive one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine and adapted to isolate the same from the others by becoming interosed between said cigarette and the remaining cigarettes in the magazine upon said dispensing member being'rotated about its own axis, and an igniting element at one end of said dispensing member, coaxial therewith adapted to become energized when said dispensing member is moved from its receiving to its isolating position.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes, of a dispensing member rotatably mounted at the open end thereof, said member comprising an open side tubular shell adapted to receive Aone of the cigarettes contained in said magazine and adapted to isolate the saine from the others by becoming interposed between said cigarette and the remaining cigarettes in the magazine upon said dispensing member being rotated about its own axis, an igniting element, at one end'of said dispensing member adapted to become energized when said dispensing member is moved from its receiving to its isolating position, and an .1 axially movable suction member registering with said tubular shell, adapted to force the cigarette contained therein against said igniting element.

16. In aldevice of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes,

and a dispensing member rotatably mounted at said open end, said dispensing member having a cigarette receiving chamber coaxial therewith, of a suction member coaxial with said dispensing member` and chamber, adapted to be axially displaced in relation to said chamber. y

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with an open end magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes, of a dispensing member rotatably mounted at the open end thereof, said member comprising an openside tubular shell adapted to receive one ofthe cigarettes contained in said magazine and adapted to isolate the same, from the others by becoming interposed between said .cigarette and the remaining cigarettes in the magazine upon said dispensing member being rotated about its own axis, and an igniting element :it one endof said dispensing member adapted to become energized when said dispensing member is moved from its receiving to its dispensing position, andmeans 'coaxial with said dispensing member adapted to create a draft through the cigarette being lighted by said igniting element.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with' a magazine adapted to contain a supply of cigarettes and a dispensing member having a chamber adapted to receive one of the cigarettes contained in said magazine, said dispensing member being movable from the receiving to a dispensing position, of an igniting element coaxial with said chamber, adjacent one end thereof and means associated with said dispensing member, for energizing said element during the period of travel of said dispensing member at a lpoint intermediate of its two extreme positions.

19. A cigarette lighter and dispenser comprising a casing, a magazine mounted in said casing for supporting a plurality of cigarettes therein, a suction mechanism adapted to engage one end of said cigarette, a lighting mechanism adapted to engage the otherl end of said cigarette, sup ortiiig mechanism for positioning and discloiarging said cigarette and means operatively connected with saidsupporting mechanism and actuated by a single manipulation thereof, for operating in connection with said mechanisms for igniting and discharging said cigarette.

20. A cigarette lighter and dispensing device comprising a casing, means for supporting a plurality of cigarettes therein, a shatt-oscillatably mounted in said casing, supporting and discharging means mounted on said shaft for supporting and discharging one cigarette at a time, a suction means including a valve mounted on said shaft and having a connection thereon adapted to engage one end of said cigarette, a heating element mounted on said shaft and adapted to engage the other end of said cigarette and single means for manipulating said shaft and heating element to bring the opposite ends of said cigarette in contact With said suction means and said heating element and to oscillate said shaft to discharge said cigarette in lighted condition.

2l. ln a dispensing machine, a magazine for containing articles to be dispensed, an article receiver having a lighting position, a lighter operating at said position, a supply position on one side of the lighting position, a delivery position on the other side of the lighting position, and a suction' device' for the article operating thereon at said lighting position.

22. Aeigarette dispensing and lighting container including a body adapted to contain .a supply of stacked c1garettes,'rotatory means at the lower end of said body for gravitationally receiving and isolating the lower-most cigarette, and means operated by and coaxial with said rotatory means for simultaneously creating a suction through the cigarette through one end and for igniting the opposite end, said Visolating means consisting of an oscillatable member jourand said suction-creating means, consisting of a valved conduit and a switch-controlled electric heating element coaxial with and operable by turning movement of the isolating means.

23. A holder and igniter for cigarettes and the like comprising a receptacle, a rotary c linder closing the bottom of the receptac e and having a longitudinal groove in its periphery, igniting means, a contact therefor movable with said cylinder and normally displaced from said igniting means, and arran ed to be brou ht into cir-V cuit closing relation therewith y a partial deliver turn of said cylinder.

24. holder and igniting means for ciga- Leaaeoe 

